30+ Photos That Make Us Thankful to Be American

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Some places are so stunning that you can’t help but stop and admire them. You find yourself amazed that everything came together at the perfect moment for you to witness it. These spots in America will either leave you speechless with their natural beauty or make you think about the rich history they hold.

Lake Superior’s Coastline

If we shared this picture without any details, would you realize it’s a place you can visit in the United States?

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It might surprise you, but this is an American coastline. You’ll want to head north instead of south to see this beautiful water. If you’re traveling through Michigan, make sure to stop at the shores of Lake Superior. It’s also interesting to note that this coastline is freshwater!

Thor’s Well

When the tide is perfect on the central Oregon coast, you might be lucky enough to see something amazing called Thor’s Well. Even though it’s in the U.S., its grand beauty makes people think of the powerful Norse god, which is how it got its name.

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If you want a closer look at this natural wonder, you can camp nearby at the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area. From there, you can take a boat tour to see Thor’s Well up close and enjoy the full experience.

The Witch House

The Witch House, once known as Jonathan Corwin’s house, became famous in Massachusetts after the Salem Witch Trials.

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So, what’s the story? Corwin bought the house in 1675. By 1692, the Salem Witch Trials were happening, and Corwin became an investigator. After the terrible events that followed, the house quickly earned a reputation for being haunted.

Yosemite National Park

There are a few places in the U.S. that attract not only Americans but also visitors from all over the world.

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Looking at a picture like this, it’s easy to see why so many people come here. As a national park, the area is protected, which helps its natural beauty thrive. It’s the perfect place to escape the busy pace of life and enjoy nature.

Grand Prismatic Spring

This spot is actually inside Yosemite National Park, but it’s so stunning that it deserves special attention.

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The Grand Prismatic Spring is huge—it’s the largest hot spring in the U.S. and the third largest in the world. Be sure to keep your distance while watching it, though! The water coming from this natural wonder is a scorching 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

Apostle Island Sea Caves

We usually think of beach trips as summer fun, but the Apostle Island sea caves in Wisconsin are a great place to visit in winter. During this season, you can experience the beauty of frozen waterfalls and underground waterways that look truly magical.

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If you enjoy the cold, this is the perfect time to explore. You’ll have the chance to see stunning natural icicles hanging from the cave walls, adding to the wonder of the scenery.

Lake Placid

If you’re in New York and want a break from the busy city life of Manhattan, spending a day at Lake Placid could be just what you need.

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Although it’s more popular in winter, Lake Placid has a lot to offer in the summer as well. This beautiful area is not only known for its stunning scenery but also has a rich Olympic history. Lake Placid hosted the Winter Olympics in both 1932 and 1980, making it a special place for sports fans and nature lovers alike.

Blue Ridge Parkway

The United States is home to many beautiful natural places, especially in the Appalachian Mountains. One of the best spots to visit is the Blue Ridge Parkway. This stunning road runs for about 470 miles through North Carolina and Virginia.

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If you look at a map, you’ll see that it links the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to the Shenandoah region. As you drive along this parkway, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the landscape that seem to go on forever. It’s a perfect place to appreciate nature’s beauty all around you.

Zion National Park

To experience the stunning beauty of Zion National Park, head to southwestern Utah. This park covers an impressive 229 square miles and has something for everyone to enjoy.

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The park features a significant change in elevation, with the highest point rising 5,000 feet above the lowest. For experienced hikers, this means there are plenty of challenging trails to explore. However, if you’re looking for something easier, you can also find shorter trails that take about 30 minutes to walk, making them accessible for people of all fitness levels.

Monument Rocks

Even though the United States is younger than many European countries, it still has ancient history worth exploring. You may not see buildings from the Dark Ages on every corner, but there are still reminders of the past to discover.

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For instance, when you visit the Monument Rocks in Kansas, you’ll find a rock formation that dates back to the Cretaceous Period. These fascinating rocks are about 80 million years old, giving you a chance to connect with ancient history right here in America.

Skagit Valley

When we think of stunning tulip fields, many people picture the ones in Amsterdam. However, the United States has its own beautiful tulip display.

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If you’re in Washington during April, make sure to visit Skagit Valley. This location hosts one of the biggest tulip festivals in the country. Even if you’ve been there before, it’s worth returning because the arrangement of the fields changes each year, offering a fresh experience every time.

Magowan’s Infinite Mirror Maze

Now, let’s move away from nature and look at something surprising that people have created. Do you remember when you were a child and looked through a kaleidoscope, feeling amazed by the colorful shapes?

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Have you ever wondered what it would be like to actually be inside one? At Magowan’s Infinite Mirror Maze in San Francisco, you can experience just that. It’s a fun maze where you can walk around and explore, and it’s designed to be enjoyable for kids, too!

Gorge Bridge

Gorge Bridge is a remarkable structure located in West Virginia. It measures 3,000 feet in length and rises an incredible 900 feet above the water below.

What truly makes the bridge special is the stunning view of the area underneath. The riverbed and the beautiful natural scenery on both sides are breathtaking. From this high vantage point, you can see much farther than you can from the ground!

Mendenhall Glacier

When talking about the wonders of America, some states don’t get mentioned as much. How often do you hear people give Alaska some attention?

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Alaska has many beautiful natural places, and one that stands out is the Mendenhall Glacier. The glacier is stunning on its own, but it also creates amazing ice caves that look like they belong in a fantasy movie.

Aurora Borealis

You might know the Aurora Borealis by another name: the Northern Lights. This stunning light show can be seen in different places around the world.

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If you’re in Alaska, a great place to see it is Fairbanks. It’s easy to catch a glimpse of the lights there! If you visit between August 21st and April 21st, you’ll likely see the display on clear nights.

The Carlsbad Caverns

If you want to see a beautiful cave system in America but prefer to stay warm, New Mexico has a great choice for you.

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The Carlsbad Caverns are an ancient wonder, estimated to be around 250 million years old. This long history gives us a chance to see how the landscape has changed over time. One of the most incredible sights here is “The Big Room,” which is the largest limestone chamber in North America.

Whitaker Point

You don’t have to be on the coast to see beautiful natural sights in the U.S. One incredible place to visit is Whitaker Point in Arkansas. This viewpoint looks over the National Buffalo River and offers a stunning view from above. You can see for miles, making it a great destination for nature enthusiasts.

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Additionally, Whitaker Point is away from bright city lights, which means you can see a breathtaking starry sky at night. The clear and dark skies create perfect conditions for stargazing, making your trip even more memorable.

Hamilton Pool

Hamilton Pool began drawing visitors in the 1960s, which is surprising given how beautiful it is. This stunning location is about 25 miles from Austin, Texas, and has become a favorite spot for many.

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If you find yourself feeling hot in the Texas sun, Hamilton Pool is the ideal place to relax. You can enjoy the cool water, seek shade, and admire the gorgeous waterfall that makes this area so special.

Carhenge

Stonehenge is a famous mystery that might never be fully explained. Although it’s not in the United States, it inspired Jim Reinders to create a similar site in Alliance, Nebraska.

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In 2017, Reinders built Carhenge, which is a replica of Stonehenge but made with cars instead of stones. This unique attraction features 39 vintage cars that were spray-painted gray, with the project starting way back in 1987.

Fort Jefferson

Fort Jefferson was a military prison until 1874, where it even held some prisoners accused of plotting against President Lincoln.

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Today, it is part of Dry Tortugas National Park in Florida. This beautiful area features clear waters and amazing coral reefs, and Fort Jefferson itself is the largest brick masonry structure in the United States.

Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness

If you’re looking to explore some of America’s natural beauty, you should add a trip to Colorado in your list. One must-see destination is the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness.

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This vast area covers 180,000 acres and is named after the two towering mountain peaks, the highest in the state. When spring arrives and the snow melts, it’s the perfect time to visit. Camping here allows you to enjoy the breathtaking scenery all day long.

The Coffee Pot

Whether you’re a coffee enthusiast or just love stopping at charming diners, The Coffee Pot is worth a visit. The first thing that will catch your eye is its unusual design, which makes it stand out.

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But it’s not just about the looks. Since 1936, this place has been serving up delicious coffee and breakfast, earning great reviews and delighting travelers for years.

The Antelope Canyon

You might not have visited Antelope Canyon in Arizona, but chances are you’ve seen pictures of its stunning beauty somewhere on the internet. Its beauty makes it a popular subject for photographers.

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Antelope Canyon isn’t as popular as the Grand Canyon. However, it is very beautiful when you take a moment to look at the rock formations. Whether you’re into photography or just want to admire nature’s work, this place is definitely worth seeing.

The Wave

When we talk about the amazing natural wonders of Arizona, we can’t forget to mention The Wave. This unique rock formation is so beautiful that you may have seen it in photos or as a wallpaper on your computer. Its incredible shape and color make it truly special.

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But how did The Wave form? The answer lies in the erosion process that took place about 145 million years ago. Over time, this natural process shaped the rocks into the beautiful structure we see today. It’s an amazing sight that everyone should experience!

Palouse Falls

Palouse Falls is a stunning location where two amazing rivers come together in the Pacific Northwest. This waterfall, known as Palouse Falls, is where the Snake River meets the Palouse River, and it’s located in Southwest Washington.

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If you’re up for some adventure, you can go kayaking up the river to reach the falls. If you’d rather take it easy, there’s parking available just a few minutes from the best viewing area, making it easy to enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Devil’s Tower

If we just showed you this image, you’d be forgiven for thinking it was just a picture of Uluru in Australia. However, this scene is actually located in Wyoming.

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The structure here is now better known as Devil’s Tower and you can see it before you get close because of its incredible size. Some estimate that this rock structure may have been there for 40 million years, gradually shaping itself over time to look like the image you see here.

Great Smokey Mountains

When you want to see American landscapes, there are plenty of mountains to explore. Each one has its own special features!

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If you’re hiking the Appalachian Trail, you’ll come across the Great Smoky Mountains between Tennessee and North Carolina. This mountain range gets its name from the mist that rises above it, making it look smoky and hazy from far away.

Glacier National Park

If you visit Montana, don’t let the vast open spaces discourage you. While there may not be much nightlife, you will discover a lot of natural beauty.

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One of the highlights of the area is Glacier National Park, which is part of the American National Park system. It covers over a million acres, giving you ample space to explore and enjoy the beauty of nature that we strive to protect.

Bryce Canyon

We’ve talked about some American places we often overlook because everyone focuses on the Grand Canyon in Arizona.

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Another canyon you should visit is Bryce Canyon in Utah. It became a national park in 1928. It’s a great place to hike and enjoy the beauty of nature in the state.

Kaua’i Island

Not everyone can enjoy the beauty of Hawaii’s oldest inhabited island. If you want to go camping here, you need to get a special permit.

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This is one of the ways to make sure Hawaii’s natural beauty stays for everyone to enjoy in the future. People with a permit can visit the island from May to September and can only get there via the Na Pali Coast.

Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is found on the border between Nevada and California. The beauty of this place is hard to put into words.

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The water is incredibly clear, letting you see the rocks underneath and appreciate its sparkling clarity. It’s no surprise that this area is a favorite spot for tourists, who come to enjoy the water and walk along the lakeside.

Sequoia National Park

It’s incredible to witness what nature can achieve when it’s left alone. We’ve already admired it several times in this list.

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One remarkable example is the trees in Sequoia National Park in California. This park is home to some of the tallest trees in the world, with ten of them standing tall. Walking among these giants reminds us that humans are not the only ones thriving on Earth.

Ben & Jerry’s Flavour Graveyard

One of the most unusual man-made attractions to see in the United States is the Ben & Jerry’s Flavor Graveyard in Vermont.

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If you have a favorite ice cream flavor from this famous brand that is no longer available, you can find it here. There’s a headstone for each flavor, letting you remember the good times when it was still on the shelves.

High Trestle Trail Bridge

When we talk about impressive man-made sites in America, we must mention the amazing artistry of the High Trestle Trail Bridge.

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This bridge is in Iowa and offers a stunning view of the Des Moines River and its skyline from 13 stories high. The bridge itself is also beautiful to see. In the summer, it lights up until 10:30 PM, and in the winter, you can see the lights until 9:00 PM.

Lookout Mountain

Lookout Mountain is in Georgia, near the border with Tennessee. It may take some effort to reach the top, but the view is worth it!

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The peak, also called Lover’s Leap, has a lookout area where you can enjoy the scenery below. If you love American history, you can also visit the Civil War battleground known as the Battle of Lookout Mountain, or the Battle Above the Clouds.

Sawtooth Mountain Range

The Rocky Mountains have a lot of beautiful sights, and since they are so long, it can be hard to decide where to visit.

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If we had to pick a place to recommend, we would suggest the Sawtooth Mountain range. This smaller range is part of the Rockies and is located in Idaho. The views there are simply stunning.

Angel Oak

We previously mentioned the massive sequoias and redwoods in California, which highlight the power of nature.

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Another tree you should add to your travel list is the Angel Oak in South Carolina. This tree beautifully demonstrates how freely a tree can grow when left untouched. The peaceful surroundings add to the experience, with only the soft sounds of the woods nearby.

Antelope Valley

Every state has its own symbols, which include special items, plants, and animals that represent that state.

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In California, the state flower is the poppy, and you can find plenty of them! If you want to see a beautiful sight, visit Antelope Valley in California. The best time to see the poppies is in April!

Atchafalaya Basin

Louisiana has many unique ecosystems, and one of the most famous is its swampland.

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If you’re looking for something truly beautiful, you should visit the Atchafalaya Basin. It’s the largest swamp in the United States and is located just west of the Mississippi River. Just remember, it’s best to admire the scenery from the shore since it’s home to many swamp creatures!

Big Bend National Park

If you’re looking to enjoy a day outside or want to camp for a night or two, be sure to include Big Bend National Park on your list.

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Even if you’ve visited before, this national park is huge, covering 800,000 acres, so you’ll probably want to come back more than once! There’s a wide variety of sights to enjoy here, whether you like desert views, river canyons, or mountains.